Line Set Duct with Channel Clip

ABSTRACT

An HVAC line set duct system includes a line set duct with a channel clip. The duct houses an HVAC line set and includes a channel connector for slidably securing the channel clips along the length of the line set duct. The channel clips have collars that engage tie wraps that in turn secure the HVAC line set to the line set duct. The channel clips are installed onto the line set channel connector by exerting a force perpendicular to the length of the line set duct so that the channel clips snap onto the channel connector and slide along the channel connector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/117,067, filed Feb. 17, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a line set duct system for housing an HVACline set running between a condenser and an evaporator of an HVACsystem, and more specifically to a line set duct system including a ductwith a channel and a channel clip for holding the line set in placewithin the duct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An HVAC line set includes at least an evaporator line and a suction linethat run between the condenser outside a building and the evaporatorinside the building that is heated or cooled by the HVAC system. Betweenthe condenser and the evaporator the line set may be outside thebuilding and exposed. The line set duct system includes a line set ductthat encloses the line set to protect the line set and to hide the lineset from view. In order to protect the line set within the line set ductand keep the line set from moving and vibrating within the line setduct, an integral channel with a series of channel clips extends alongthe length of the line set duct. The channel clips engage the channeland can slide along the channel. The line set is secured to the channelclips, and therefore to the channel by means of tie wraps attached tothe channel clips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The line set duct system of the present invention includes a line setduct for housing the line set of the HVAC system and a series of channelclips for securing the line set within the line set duct. The line setduct includes a longitudinally extending duct base with a longitudinallyextending integral channel connector, longitudinally extending sidewalls, and a removable longitudinally extending cover. A channelconnector includes a first inverted L-shaped channel member and a secondinverted L-shaped channel member attached to the duct base, extendingalong the length of the duct base, and extending parallel to each other.Each channel member has an inverted L-shaped cross-section consisting ofa channel lip and a channel web. The channel webs are attached to theduct base. The two inverted L-shaped channel members are oriented tocreate two outward facing outside channel grooves. The two outsidechannel grooves are formed by the channel lips, the channel webs, andthe duct base. A center channel groove is created between the channelconnectors of the inverted L-shaped channel members.

In a first embodiment, the channel clip has a generally planar andrectangular clip base with a top and bottom. Two legs, a first leg and asecond leg, are attached at one side of the clip base and extenddownwardly. The first leg and the second leg each have a downwardlyextending portion and a perpendicularly extending portion attached tothe lower end of the downwardly extending portion. A third leg isattached to an opposite side of the clip base and extends downwardly.The third leg has a downwardly extending portion and a perpendicularlyextending portion attached to the lower end of the downwardly extendingportion. The downwardly extending portions of the legs, theperpendicularly extending portions of the legs and the bottom of theclip base form leg grooves. In addition, the perpendicularly extendingportion of the third leg has a camming surface distal from the clipbase. A tool opening in the clip base allows a user to access the thirdleg with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release theperpendicularly extending portion from the channel lip of the secondL-shaped channel member. The channel clip has a clip collar with acollar opening attached to the top of the clip base for engaging a tiewrap or other fastener. The channel clip also has a pair of frictionelements, a first friction element and a second friction element,extending downwardly from the center of the bottom of the clip base anddimensioned to fit within the width of the center channel groove of thechannel connector.

In operation, first and second leg grooves of the first and second legsfirst engage the channel lip of the first L-shaped channel member. Thechannel clip is then pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base so thatthe camming surface of the third leg rides over the channel lip of thesecond L-shaped channel member. Once the camming surface has passed thechannel lip of the second L-shaped channel member, the third leg grooveengages the channel clip of the second L-shaped channel member, and thechannel clip is thereby slidably attached to the channel connector. Whenthe channel clip is thus attached to the channel connector, the firstand second friction elements engage the duct base of the center channelgroove to inhibit free sliding of the channel clip along the channelconnector. As previously indicated, the channel clip can be removed byengaging the perpendicularly extending portion of the third leg toreleasing the perpendicularly extending portion from the channel lip ofthe second L-shaped channel member.

A second embodiment of the invention is similar to the first embodimentdescribed above except for the addition of a release tab attached to thetop of the clip base and extending upwardly. The release tab has a topend, a bottom end, and a length. The bottom end of the release tab isattached to the top of the clip base directly above the third leg. Bymoving the top end of the release tab toward the center of the clipbase, the torque exerted on the edge of the clip base causes the thirdleg to rotate. As the third leg rotates, the perpendicularly extendingportion of the third leg disengages from the channel lip of the secondL-shaped channel member thereby releasing the channel clip for removal.A tool opening in the clip base also allows a user to access the thirdleg with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release theperpendicularly extending portion from the channel lip of the secondL-shaped channel member.

In a third embodiment, the channel clip has a generally planar andrectangular clip base with a top and bottom. Four legs, a first leg, asecond leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg, are attached at each cornerof the clip base and extend downwardly. Each of the legs has adownwardly extending portion and a perpendicularly extending portionattached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion whichtogether with the clip base form first, second, third, and fourth leggrooves. Each of the perpendicularly extending portions of the legs hasa camming surface distal from the clip base. Tool openings in the clipbase allows a user to access the four legs with a tool, such as ascrewdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extending portionsof the four legs from the L-shaped channel base of the second channelmember. The channel clip has a clip collar with a collar openingattached to the top of the clip base for engaging a tie wrap or otherfastener. The channel clip also has a pair of friction elements, a firstfriction element second friction element, extending downwardly from thecenter of the clip base and dimensioned to fit within the width of thecenter channel groove of the line set duct.

In operation, the channel clip is pushed perpendicularly toward the ductbase so that the camming surfaces of the four legs ride over theL-shaped channel base of the both channel members. Once the cammingsurfaces have passed the L-shaped channel bases of the channel members,the leg grooves engage the L-shaped channel base of the channel members,and the channel clip is thereby slidably attached to the line setchannel. When the channel clip is thus attached to the line set channel,the first and second friction elements engage the duct base of thecenter channel groove to inhibit free sliding of the channel clip alongthe line set channel.

In a fourth embodiment, the channel clip has a generally rectangularclip base with a top and bottom. Two legs, a first leg and a second leg,are attached at diagonal corners of the clip base and extend downwardly.The first leg and the second leg each have a downwardly extendingportion and a perpendicularly extending portion attached at the lowerend of the downwardly extending portion, which together with the baseform first and second leg grooves. The perpendicularly extendingportions of the legs have a camming surface distal from the clip base.The channel clip also has downwardly extending stubs at the corners ofthe base opposite the legs. Tool openings in the clip base allows a userto access the two legs with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order torelease the perpendicularly extending portions of the legs from thefirst and second channel lips of the first and second L-shaped channelmembers. The channel clip has a clip collar with a collar openingattached to the top of the clip base for engaging a tie wrap or otherfastener.

In operation, the channel clip is pushed perpendicularly toward the ductbase so that the camming surfaces of the two legs ride over the channellips of the both L-shaped channel members. Once the camming surfaceshave passed the channel lips of the L-shaped channel members, the leggrooves engage the channel lips of the L-shaped channel members, and thechannel clip is thereby slidably attached to the channel connector. Thestubs engage the channel lips of the L-shaped channel members to keepthe channel clip from rotating around an axis perpendicular to the ductbase.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a line set duct with its duct coverremoved for a line set duct system in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the line set duct with its duct coverin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordancewith the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordancewith the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance withthe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a third embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordancewith the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance withthe third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and a channel clip in accordance with a fourth embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the channel clip in accordancewith the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the channel clip in accordance withthe fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an end elevation view of the line set duct system with theline set duct and the channel clip in accordance with the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to FIGS. 1-3, a line set duct system 10 (FIG. 3) of the presentinvention includes a line set duct 12 for housing a line set (not shown)of an HVAC system and a series of channel clips (a channel clip100—FIGS. 3-6, a channel clip 200—FIGS. 7-10, a channel clip 300—FIGS.11-14, and a channel clip 400—FIGS. 15-18) for securing the line setwithin the line set duct 12. The line set duct 12 includes alongitudinally extending duct base 14 with a longitudinally extendingintegral channel connector 26, a longitudinally extending inside wall16, and a longitudinally extending outside wall 20. The inside wall 16has an inside wall top return 18, and the outside wall top return 20 hasan outside wall top return 22. The inside wall top return 18 and theoutside wall top return 20 engage and secure a removable longitudinallyextending cover (not shown) for the line set duct 12.

The channel connector 26 includes a first inverted L-shaped channelmember 28 and a second inverted L-shaped channel member 36 attached tothe duct base 14, extending along the length of the duct base 14, andextending parallel to each other. Each L-shaped channel member 28 and 36has an inverted L-shaped cross-section with channel lips 30 and 38 andan channel webs 32 and 40. The channel webs 32 and 40 are attached tothe duct base 14. The two inverted L-shaped channel members 28 and 36are oriented to create two outwardly facing outside channel grooves 34and 42. The two outside channel grooves 34 and 42 are formed by thechannel clips 30 and 38, channel webs 32 and 40, and the duct base 14. Acenter channel groove 44 is created between the channel webs 32 and 34of the inverted L-shaped channel members 28 and 36.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3-6. The channelclip 100 has a generally planar and rectangular clip base 102 with a top104 and a bottom 106. Two legs, a first leg 112 and a second leg 122,are attached at one side of the clip base 102 and extend downwardly. Thefirst leg 112 and the second leg 122 have downwardly extending portions114 and 124 and perpendicularly extending portions 116 and 126 attachedto the lower ends of the downwardly extending portions 114 and 124,which together with the bottom 106 of the clip base 102 form a first leggroove 118 and a second leg groove 128. As used herein, the term“downwardly extending” refers to the direction toward the duct base 14.The term “perpendicularly extending” refers to the direction that isessentially perpendicular to the downwardly extending portions of thelegs and therefore essentially parallel to the clip base 102. A thirdleg 132 is attached to an opposite side of the clip base 102 and extendsdownwardly. The third leg has a downwardly extending portion 134 and aperpendicularly extending portion 136 attached to the lower end of thedownwardly extending portion 134, which together with the bottom 106 ofthe clip base 102 form a third leg groove 138. In addition, theperpendicularly extending portion 136 of the third leg 132 has a cammingsurface 140 distal from the bottom 106 of the clip base 102. A toolopening 160 (FIG. 5) in the clip base 102 allows a user to access thethird leg 132 with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to releasethe perpendicularly extending portion 136 from the second channel lip 38of the second L-shaped channel member 36. The channel clip 100 has aclip collar 108 with a collar opening 110 attached to the top 104 of theclip base 102 for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channelclip 100 also has a pair of friction elements, a first friction element154 and second friction element 156, extending downwardly from thecenter of the bottom 106 of the clip base 102 and dimensioned to fitwithin the width of the center channel groove 44 of the channelconnector 26.

In operation, the first leg groove 118 and the second leg groove 128 ofthe first leg 112 and the second leg 122 of the channel clip 100 firstengage the channel lip 30 of the first L-shaped channel member 28. Thechannel clip 100 is then pushed perpendicularly toward the duct base 14so that the camming surface 140 of the third leg 132 rides over thechannel lip 38 of the second L-shaped channel member 36. Once thecamming surface 140 has passed the channel lip 38 of the second L-shapedchannel member 36, the third leg groove 138 engages the channel lip 38of the second L-shaped channel member 36, and the channel clip 100 isthereby slidably attached to the line set channel connector 26. When thechannel clip 100 is thus attached to the line set channel connector 26,the first and second friction elements 154 and 156 engage the duct base14 of the center channel groove 44 to inhibit free sliding of thechannel clip 100 along the line set channel connector 26. As previouslyindicated, the channel clip 100 can be removed from the line set channelconnector 26 by engaging the perpendicularly extending portion 136 ofthe third leg 132 by means of a tool inserted through the tool opening160 to releasing the perpendicularly extending portion 136 from thechannel lip 38 of the second L-shaped channel member 36. Once theperpendicularly extending portion 136 is disengaged from the channelclip 38 of the second L-shaped channel member 36, the channel clip 100is removed by disengaging the first and second legs 112 and 122 from thechannel clip 30 of the first L-shaped channel member 28.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7-10. The channelclip 200 is similar to the channel clip 100 described above except forthe addition of a release tab 258. The channel clip 200 has a generallyplanar and rectangular clip base 202 with a top 204 and a bottom 206.Two legs, a first leg 212 and a second leg 222, are attached at one sideof the clip base 202 and extend downwardly. The first leg 212 and thesecond leg 222 have downwardly extending portions 214 and 224 andperpendicularly extending portions 216 and 226 attached to the lowerends of the downwardly extending portions 214 and 224, which togetherwith the bottom 206 of the clip base 202 form a first leg groove 218 anda second leg groove 228. A third leg 232 is attached to an opposite sideof the clip base 202 and extends downwardly. The third leg has adownwardly extending portion 234 and a perpendicularly extending portion236 attached to the lower end of the downwardly extending portion 234,which together with the bottom 206 of the clip base 202 form a third leggroove 238. In addition, the perpendicularly extending portion 236 ofthe third leg 232 has a camming surface 240 distal from the bottom 206of the clip base 202. The channel clip 200 has a clip collar 208 with acollar opening 210 attached to the top 204 of the clip base 202 forengaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip 200 also has apair of friction elements, a first friction element 254 and secondfriction element 256, extending downwardly from the center of the bottom206 of the clip base 202 and dimensioned to fit within the width of thecenter channel groove 44 of the channel connector 26.

The release tab 258 is attached to the top 204 of the clip base 202 andis an upward extension of the third leg 232. The release tab 258 has atop end 262 and a bottom end 264. The bottom end 264 of the release tabis attached to the top 204 of the clip base 202 directly above the thirdleg 232. By moving the top end 262 of the release tab toward the centerof the clip base 202, the torque exerted on the edge of the clip base202 causes the third leg 232 to rotate. As the third leg 232 rotates,the perpendicularly extending portion 236 of the third leg 232disengages from the channel lip 38 of the L-shaped second channel member36 thereby releasing the channel clip 200 for removal. A tool opening260 in the clip base 202 also allows a user to access the third leg 232with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order to release theperpendicularly extending portion 236 of the third leg 232 from thechannel lip 38 of the second L-shaped channel member 36.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 11-14. The channelclip 300 has a generally planar and rectangular clip base 302 with a top304 and bottom 306. Four legs, a first leg 312, a second leg 322, athird leg 332, and a fourth leg 342, are attached at each corner of theclip base 302 and extend downwardly. The legs 312, 322, 332, 342 havedownwardly extending portions 314, 324, 334, 344 and perpendicularlyextending portions 316, 326, 336, 346 attached to the lower end of thedownwardly extending portions 314, 324, 334, 344, which together withthe bottom 306 the clip base 302 form first, second, third, and fourthleg grooves 318, 328, 338, and 348, respectively. The perpendicularlyextending portions 316, 326, 336, 346 of the legs 312, 322, 332, 342have camming surfaces 320, 330, 340, 350 distal from the clip base 302.Tool openings 360 in the clip base 302 allows a user to access the fourlegs 312, 322, 332, 342 with a tool, such as a screwdriver, in order torelease the perpendicularly extending portions 316, 326, 336, 346 of thefour legs 312, 322, 332, 342 from the channel lip 38 of the secondL-shaped channel member 36. The channel clip 300 has a clip collar 308with a collar opening 310 attached to the top 304 of the clip base 302for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener. The channel clip 300 also hasa pair of friction elements, a first friction element 354 and secondfriction element 356, extending downwardly from the center of the bottom306 of the clip base 304 and dimensioned to fit within the width of thecenter channel groove 44 of the channel connector 26.

In operation, the channel clip 300 is pushed perpendicularly toward theduct base 14 so that the camming surfaces 320, 330, 340, 350 of the fourlegs 312, 322, 332, 342 ride over the channel lips 30, 38 of the bothL-shaped channel members 28, 36. Once the camming surfaces 320, 330,340, 350 have passed the channel lips 30, 38 of the channel L-shapedmembers 28, 36, the leg grooves 318, 328, 338, 348 engage the channelbases 30, 38 of the L-shaped channel members 28, 36, and the channelclip 300 is thereby slidably attached to the line set channel connector26. When the channel clip 300 is thus attached to the line set channelconnector 26, the first and second friction elements 354 and 356 engagethe duct base 14 of the center channel groove 44 to inhibit free slidingof the channel clip 300 along the line set channel connector 26.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 15-18. Thechannel clip 400 has a generally planar and rectangular clip base 402with a top 404 and bottom 406. Two legs, a first leg 412 and a secondleg 422, are attached at diagonal corners of the clip base 402 andextend downwardly. The first leg 412 and the second leg 422 havedownwardly extending portions 414, 424 and perpendicularly extendingportions 416, 426 attached to the lower end of the downwardly extendingportions 414, 424, which together with the clip base 402 form a firstleg groove 418 and a second leg groove 428. The perpendicularlyextending portions 416, 426 of the legs 412, 422 have camming surfaces420, 430 distal from the clip base 402. The channel clip 400 also hasdownwardly extending stubs 432, 442 at the corners of the clip base 402diagonally opposite the legs 412, 422. Tool openings 460 in the clipbase 402 allows a user to access the two legs 412, 422 with a tool, suchas a screwdriver, in order to release the perpendicularly extendingportions 416, 426 of the legs 412, 422 from the channel lips 30, 38 ofthe L-shaped channel members 28, 36. The channel clip 400 has a clipcollar 408 with a collar opening 410 attached to the top 404 of the clipbase 402 for engaging a tie wrap or other fastener.

In operation, the channel clip 400 is pushed perpendicularly toward theduct base 14 so that the camming surfaces 420, 430 of the two legs 412,422 ride over the channel bases 30, 38 of the both L-shaped channelmembers 28, 36. Once the camming surfaces 420, 430 have passed thechannel lips 30, 38 of the L-shaped channel members 28, 36, the leggrooves 418, 428 engage the channel lips 30, 38 of the L-shaped channelmembers 28, 36, and the channel clip 400 is thereby slidably attached tothe line set channel connector 26. The stubs 432, 442 engage theL-shaped channel members 28, 36 to keep the channel clip 400 fromrotating around an axis perpendicular to the duct base 14.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A line set duct system for housing and securing an HVAC lineset, the line set duct system comprising: a. a line set duct with alength for enclosing the line set and including a duct base, a line setchannel connector extending along the length of the duct base of theline set duct, the line set channel connector including a center channeland first and second opposing channel grooves, each channel groovecomprising a channel web and a channel lip; and b. at least one channelclip slidably attached to the line set channel connector including: i. aclip base; ii. at least one leg attached to the clip base, the at leastone leg having: (a) a downwardly extending portion; (b) aperpendicularly extending portion connected to the downwardly extendingportion, the perpendicularly extending portion for slidably engaging thefirst channel groove of the line set channel connector; and (c) acamming surface on the perpendicularly extending portion for urging thedownwardly extending portion of the at least one leg away from thechannel groove as the at least one leg moves toward the duct base beforethe perpendicularly extending portion enters the first opposing channelgroove; and iii. a collar attached to the clip base for engaging afastener that secures the line set to the line set channel of the lineset duct.
 2. The line set duct system of claim 1, wherein the at leastone leg is attached to a side of the clip base, wherein the clip basehas a first leg and a second leg attached to an opposite side of theclip base from the at least one leg, and wherein the first leg and thesecond leg engage the second opposing channel groove.
 3. The line setduct system of claim 1, wherein the clip base has an opening to allowaccess to the at least one leg in order to disengage the perpendicularlyextending portion from the first channel groove thereby disengaging thechannel clip from the line set channel connector of the line set duct.4. The line set duct system of claim 1, wherein the channel clip has arelease tab attached to a side of the clip base adjacent the at leastone leg and extending away from the at least one leg and whereindisplacing the release tab causes the perpendicularly extending portionof the at least one leg to disengage from the first channel groovethereby disengaging the channel clip from the line set channel connectorof the line set duct.
 5. The line set duct system of claim 1, whereinthe clip base has at least one downwardly extending friction elementthat fits within the center channel and frictionally engages the ductbase.
 6. A line set duct system for housing and securing an HVAC lineset, the line set duct system comprising: a. a line set duct with alength for enclosing the line set and including a duct base, a line setchannel connector extending along the length of the duct base of theline set duct, the line set channel connector including a center channeland first and second opposing channel grooves, each channel groovecomprising a channel web and a channel lip; and b. at least one channelclip slidably attached to the line set channel connector including: i. aclip base; ii. a plurality of legs attached to the clip base, each ofthe legs having: (a) a downwardly extending portion; (b) aperpendicularly extending portion connected to the downwardly extendingportion, the perpendicularly extending portion for slidably engaging thefirst or second channel groove of the line set channel connector; and(c) a camming surface on the perpendicularly extending portion forurging the downwardly extending portion of the leg away from the channelgrooves as the legs move toward the duct base before the perpendicularlyextending portions enter the channel grooves; and iii. a collar attachedto the clip base for engaging a fastener that secures the line set tothe line set channel of the line set duct.
 7. The line set duct systemof claim 6, wherein the plurality of legs includes four legs eachattached to a corner of the clip base.
 8. The line set duct system ofclaim 6, wherein the clip base has openings to allow access to the legsin order to disengage the perpendicularly extending portions from thechannel grooves thereby disengaging the channel clip from the line setchannel connector of the line set duct.
 9. The line set duct system ofclaim 6, wherein the clip base has at least one downwardly extendingfriction element that fits within the center channel and frictionallyengages the duct base.
 10. The line set duct system of claim 6, whereinthe plurality of legs includes two legs attached to diagonally oppositecorners of the clip base and wherein the channel clip has two downwardlyextending stubs attached at the corners of the clip base opposite thelegs.